Are you the kind of person who feels most comfortable on your stomach or back? Maybe you like to change positions multiple times during the night, adjusting to whatever feels best at the moment.

If you’re a self-defined “side sleeper”, then you’re not alone. There are countless side sleepers across the globe today who like nothing better than to snuggle up in bed facing one side or another. Unfortunately, most beds simply aren’t designed to suit side sleeping.

When you sleep on your side, your weight isn’t distributed evenly over the cushioning in your mattress top. There’s going to be more pressure on certain parts of your body, including hips and shoulders. This means that it can be very difficult to find a position that you feel truly comfortable in.

Although there are some mattresses out there specifically created for side sleepers, these options can be quite expensive for those of you who are shopping on a budget. Additionally, just because you identify as a side sleeper, doesn’t mean that your partner does. This could make it difficult to find a bed that suits both of you equally.

Fortunately, there could be a solution. The best mattress topper for side sleepers is excellent at providing extra comfort and depth to your bedding in the spaces where you need it most. A topper can give your mattress more softness and sink-ability, so you can spread your weight more evenly when you sleep. However, not all toppers are going to be perfect for your needs.

Top 7 Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers

Overview:

If you’re looking for mattress toppers that combine high-quality materials with excellent performance, then this gel memory foam topper from Sleep Innovations could be a perfect choice.

Features

Measuring four inches thick, this gel-infused memory foam solution is one of the most luxurious side sleeper toppers that we’ve seen on the market.

Created to delight back, side, or stomach sleepers, this memory foam is carefully designed to hold its shape – sleep after sleep. The two inches of gel-infused memory foam and the two-inch quilted fiber filling provide the perfect all-around experience of sinkable softness. What’s more, this product comes with a washable cover that’s easy to clean when you need a quick refresh.

Vacuum packed and shipped quickly around the USA, this memory foam mattress topper is also great at dispersing body heat. The material will make sure that you feel supported and comfortable all night long. On the downside, like many gel memory foams on the market today, this item does come with a pretty significant smell. You might need to leave the product to air out for a few days before you can use it.

Another point worth noting is that you need to flip your mattress from time to time to make sure that it doesn’t get any long-lasting dents. Although ventilated memory foam is great, the combination of memory foam toppers and other materials can lead to sagging spots in your mattress. When this happens, you’re more exposed to lasting changes in your mattress’s shape. It can be a major consequence of getting continued pressure relief from your new mattress topper.

Overview:

Material: Memory Foam

Thickness: 3 inches

Warranty: 10 years

Another contender for the best memory foam mattress topper for side sleepers, this incredible product comes from the experts over at the Tempur-Pedic company. Contouring to your body to provide a more relaxing experience – even for back pain sufferers, the Tempur-Pedic is an ideal option for those who wake up feeling achy each morning.

Features

This topper is made from Tempur-Pedic’s proprietary foam, which has an unmatched ability to mold to your body for personalized comfort and support. Additionally, the company notes that this mattress topper isn’t just a great alternative for making your mattress feel like a new bed. You can also use the topper on dorm room beds, for travels, and in guest rooms.

Both reliable and durable, this bedding is stronger than any average memory foam mattress topper. The proprietary and innovative material offers years of long-lasting comfort for any side sleepers in need of a quick upgrade. Additionally, like other mattresses toppers on the list, it’s good to know that the Tempur-Pedic is easy to maintain and store. You can roll it away when you’re not using it, and the cover is machine-washable, too.

Unfortunately, one downside of these toppers for side sleepers is that they do come with some significant off-gassing. Hence, you need to leave it to air out for a while. Additionally, you may find that it’s difficult to return the mattress topper if you decide that it isn’t right for you after a couple of days of sleeping on it. This can be a problem for people who are used to getting free trial periods for beddings ordered online. Of course, it’s not that easy to tell if a particular mattress topper is the right one for you.

Overview:

Material: Ventilated Gel Memory Foam

Thickness: 3 inches

Warranty: 3 years

While we all might wish that we had the cash to invest in the most luxurious side sleeper toppers, that isn’t always the case. If you’re having a hard time sleeping on your old bed but you just can’t afford to buy a new one yet, a budget-friendly topper might be an answer.

Features

The LUCID mattress topper is made from three inches of ventilated gel memory foam to add softness and pressure-relieving comfort to your mattress. This fantastic product is extremely responsive and surprisingly lightweight compared to a standard gel memory foam mattress topper. Additionally, because the gel inside of the mattress topper helps to control heart, you’ll sleep cool and comfortable at night.

If you’re looking for a foam topper, mattress products from LUCID offer reliable support on pressure points and great temperature regulation for shoppers on a budget. However, it’s worth noting that this mattress topper does come with a similar off-gassing smell. The manufacturers recommend leaving it for 48 hours to air out.

This product also has a 3-year warranty for peace of mind. However, it’s important to note that if you’re looking for a mattress topper for side sleepers who are a little heavier than average, this is unlikely to be the best choice, as it’s very soft. That means you’ll often sink straight into the mattress below. Consider testing a few softer mattresses in person to see how much you’ll sink into them before you order an extra soft mattress topper. This will help you to determine the mattress firmness your body requires.

Overview:

Material: Gel Memory Foam and Down Alternative

Thickness: 4 inches

Warranty: 5 years with 60-day Moneyback Guarantee

Sometimes, the biggest problem that side sleepers face when they rest on a mattress that isn’t designed for their preferred position is increased pain on certain pressure points. For instance, you might find that years of sleeping on your old mattress has left you searching for the best mattress topper for shoulder pain.

Features

If that’s the case, then this ViscoSoft memory foam mattress topper for side sleepers could be the perfect solution. The ViscoSoft not only has one of the best price points on the market, but it also has some fantastic features to offer. Designed to transform your sleep and relieve pain, this memory foam mattress topper for side sleepers is made from 2.5-inch neutral gel memory foam and 1.5-inch fluffy down alternative.

There’s a removable cover included with this gel memory foam mattress topper, which means that you can keep it looking and feeling fresh for as long as possible. Additionally, unlike some of the mattresses topper options that we’ve covered so far, this particular product comes with a fantastic 60-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind.

Unfortunately, while ViscoSoft claims that it has done everything that it can to reduce the smell of the memory foam, you’re still going to get some off-gassing. Additionally, although the gel-infused memory foam can get rid of some heat, a lot of sleepers still complained of feeling a bit hot. If you’re a very hot sleeper, you might need to ask yourself whether soft mattress toppers are right for you. If you sleep on your side, then you could consider using a soft topper, with other methods to help you stay cool during the night.

Overview:

Material: Bamboo Rayon and Down Alternative

Thickness: Pillowtop Pad with 18″Deep Fitted Skirt

Warranty: 30-day Money-Back Guarantee

Depending on the design of your chosen mattress topper, it may be defined as a “pad” rather than an official topper. Usually, this is the case when certain material is used other than memory foam for your side sleeper accessory.

Features

The pad feels a lot like lying on a large down cushion, with a skirt that makes it easy to tuck the topper into the sides of your bed so it can stay in place all night long. This mattress topper comes filled with Revoloft – a fiberfill solution that feels similar to goose or duck down. However, the product is also highly hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about runny noses or eyes keeping you from getting the best night’s sleep.

Designed to assist with everything from back pain to shoulder pain, this sensational Revoloft (rights reserved) topper for side sleepers is sure to change the way you think about your old bed. Additionally, unlike many of the products that we’ve covered so far, it comes with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. This is a nice touch for those who are worried that they won’t get enough support from their new mattress topper.

When it comes to choosing the best mattress topper for side sleepers, many say that this product is excellent at controlling pain and heat. However, it can be very difficult to clean when you want to refresh your topper. Furthermore, the padding can easily clump together over time, which might make the mattress topper less comfortable. If you can afford to get your mattress topper professionally cleaned or you can air it out regularly, then clumping of materials will be prevented.

Overview:

If you do prefer the idea of memory foam for your mattress topper, then you could check out this fantastic topper for side sleepers from Red Nomad.

Features

Designed specifically for people who need extra support around their pressure points, this mattress topper is made from high-quality memory foam which is both weight and temperature-sensitive. The foam adjusts to the size and shape of your body, allowing you to sink into the mattress each night for a relaxing night’s rest.

Unlike most memory foam mattress toppers for side sleepers, this product is great at providing pressure relief, without leaving you feeling overheated. The innovative cooling material in the topper offers a uniquely comfortable and sweat-free sleep. At the same time, this memory foam mattress topper is excellent at reducing motion transfer for couples sleeping together. Hence, you have fewer disruptions throughout the night.

Delivering superb alignment for your spine, shoulders, hips, and back, this memory foam topper is manufactured in the USA to meet the standards of the CertiPUR-US program. Moreover, because the full-size topper is a little shorter on all sides, it will surely fit with any sheets that you’re using. Unfortunately, most customers did say that they found this product quite heavy and difficult to manage.

Additionally, like with many of the foam mattress options that we’ve looked at, the smell can be a bit difficult to handle at first. You may need to give the mattress topper a few days to air out before you use it. This is often the case with many memory foam mattress options, whether you’re choosing a mattress topper or a full bed. A couple of days is often all it takes for the mattress to lose its off-gassing.

Overview:

Finally, if you’re searching for the best mattress topper for side sleepers with hip pain, then this Exceptional Sheets product could be just the thing.

Features

Contending with other toppers for mattresses made out of memory foam, this product comes in a range of sizes intended to revitalize your sleep quality on any bed. If you’re looking for a mattress topper that eliminates discomfort and manufactured without any exposure to dangerous toxins or chemicals, then this is the product for you.

The Exceptional Sheets topper comes with unique polyester fiber clusters within that provide a high level of comfort which goes beyond the sinkable softness of memory foam. Because this topper uses a down-style filling instead of memory foam, it’s also a lot more breathable than its foam counterparts. What’s more, its anti-allergenic properties provide protection against bacteria and allergens.

For an extra piece of mind, the company behind this pad also offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. Even if you think that these mattress toppers don’t come with the best price, you can at least send it back if you’re not completely satisfied and try something else on your bed.

Great for people who want relief for various pressure points across the body, these mattress toppers will change your sleep forever. It’s perfect particularly if you just need something soft to help you snuggle up at night. On the downside, it can seem a little too thin for some people. Moreover, because of the construction of this mattress topper, it’s often quite difficult to clean. You may find that the padding within the case sometimes clumps together when you’re trying to wash it, for instance.

Are Mattress Toppers Good for Side Sleepers?

If you’re one of the many side sleepers struggling to get proper support for all the various points of your body when you go to bed each night, then you might be wondering if a mattress topper is the answer. A topper can give you extra comfort and support when your current bed is failing you. Whether you choose memory foam or a different material like down, you can achieve more of the sinkable softness you expect from a new bed.

However, like many things in life, finding a mattress topper that works for your needs is a very personal process. You’ll need to consider what kind of features you require from a mattress topper for side sleepers. Options range from gel foam that offers temperature control to denser foam for more refined back and spine support.

What’s the Best Mattress Topper for Lower Back and Hip Pain?

Usually, when you’re wondering “what is the best mattress topper for pressure points” in your shoulders and hips, the best option is to choose something extra soft. The main problem that most side sleepers have with regular beds is that they’re too hard on their pressure points. When you lie on your side, your hips and shoulders push into the cushioning beneath, putting too much pressure on specific areas.

While it’s possible to get a different mattress made of softer gel memory foam or something more cushioning, it can be expensive to upgrade a memory foam bed. On the other hand, memory foam mattress toppers for side sleepers with a soft and luxurious cover can make your mattress feel as good as new without the extra expense. Although a memory foam cover isn’t going to solve every mattress problem you have, it can provide the extra support needed for your hips and shoulders.

The best alternative option is to look for a gel memory foam bed that comes with contours within the foundation of the mattress that makes space for your hips and shoulders.

However, although a new gel foam bed might be great for you, it may not be the ideal thing for your partner. Hence, you’ll need to consider your options carefully when you’re buying for two people.

Choosing Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers have a lot more needs when it comes to choosing the best mattress options than back and stomach sleepers. Your body is in a unique position when you sleep on your side. This entails needing to think about the firmness or softness of a mattress topper very carefully.

Other points to consider include:

1. The Thickness of the Mattress Topper

If your topper isn’t thick enough and you’re quite a heavy person, then you’ll sink through to the foam below. Think about your body type when picking the thickness that is right for you. Two or three inches might be enough for a small person.

2. The Material

Some people will love the sensation of being surrounded by a mattress topper made of memory foam, while others will prefer something that’s made with down or other alternative materials. A memory foam topper can be a lot to get used to if you’re a hot sleeper. It can make you feel as though you’re surrounded by too much dense material.

3. The Extras

There are many mattress toppers that come with extra features to make them more appealing, such as a luxury or a hypoallergenic cover. Cover options can also be useful if you want to keep your mattress topper fresher for longer.

4. The Smell

A memory foam topper can come with a smell that’s very difficult to bypass, even when you’re using your mattress cover. You may need to leave the topper to air out for a few days in this case.

5. The Price

Although there are more important things than your budget to consider, you’ll need to ensure that you’re choosing a topper that’s worth the investment.

Improving Your Bed

The best mattress topper for side sleepers can definitely transform your bed and help you to get a better night’s sleep. However, just like choosing a new bedding, you need to think carefully about the features that you’re looking for.

Our favorite pick from this list is the gel memory foam topper by Sleep Innovations. Measuring around four inches thick, the gel-infused foam helps you to get more support for your shoulders and hips, without making you feel overheated. Also, these luxurious materials plus the removable cover come with a budget-friendly price tag.

Are you going to use a memory foam mattress topper to upgrade your bedding? What helps you to sleep better as a side sleeper? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

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